Each premium manufacturer’s crossover sizes vary progressively, but the 2023 Infiniti QX50 holds its own in this competitive market. The QX50 demonstrates that it can lead a double life, effortlessly evading obstacles and navigating dirt roads like they’re nothing. Most tiny SUVs are built to tolerate pounding tarmac. However, it isn’t particularly suited for conquering challenging terrain, and in general, a small SUV is more likely to be seen in a queue at the Starbucks drive-through than on fire access routes at state parks. But that’s too bad since getting there on the QX50 can be fun. The QX50, 184.7 inches in length, is the smallest of the premium brand’s SUVs now that the little Infiniti QX30 has been discontinued.
The Infiniti QX50 is distinguished from its stylish sedan sister, the Q50, by its more aggressive design, ride height, and off-road performance. In the middle of its second generation, the QX50 will get a new Sport variant for the 2023 model year. It might help stand out from the suburban optics and bland aesthetics of commuters driving tiny crossovers. Designing the QX50 precisely as you want it shouldn’t be challenging because the five trims range from the entry-level Pure to the top-of-the-line Sensory and Autograph, which are well-equipped and have aggressive styling.
The QX50 is compact but not claustrophobic, with enough for five across two rows of comfy seats. Its reputation for agility sets it apart from rivals with comparable size and power, like the Acura RDX, Lexus NX, and BMW X3. Infiniti adopted drive-by-wire steering early in 2013, and during the next ten years, it has accelerated and improved its direct adaptive electronic system. The driver benefits by moving more quickly than in a hefty, elegantly cut little truck. 2021 the Japanese company sold 20,000 QX50s, but in 2022, sales were just 11,105. The two models, with 16,573 units sold last year, sell almost as well as the roomier QX60 when you include the 5,106 fastback-styled QX55s.
The prices of the models, which include a $1,195 destination charge, vary from $41,495 to $58,545 at competitive prices. With better stylistic modifications, the new Sport model helps preserve its technical heritage’s essence. These adjustments to the brand’s external appearance might make it more competitive with models whose performance-oriented ancestry is widely recognized.
Drivers will, however, struggle with the segment’s confounding second row, which is inflexibly snug in all models. However, Infiniti makes the most of its inside space thanks to a well-equipped electronics package that includes two stacked touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay as standard equipment, and the largest luggage room compared to its rivals.
Besides a more fuel-efficient engine, the QX50 offers consumers who care about aesthetics everything they might desire in a small premium crossover at a competitive price. However, maximizing fuel efficiency often means sacrificing performance, your wallet, or both, upsetting the delicate balance that makes the QX50 a desirable package.
Performance: Infiniti QX50
The same powerful 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine with variable compression, producing up to 268 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, is powering every 2023 Infiniti QX50, even though there are five model levels to select from. The Infiniti VC-Turbo engine has earned multiple honors for its lightweight and compact design that provides V6-like power with ease and economy when paired with a CVT gearbox with manual paddle shifters (if that’s your thing). It’s a winning combination, and even if there are small SUVs with more horsepower, the powertrain seems more than enough for whatever you’re often towing.
Although a small luxury crossover isn’t the apparent option for an active outdoor lifestyle, real-world testing with the QX50 on desert dirt roads shows that it’s feasible. It comes standard with front-wheel drive, but all versions except the top Autograph may be upgraded to all-wheel drive for $1,500 more. The most significant amount of ground clearance is 8.6 inches. The CUV is very handy because of its independent multilink rear stabilizer bar and MacPherson strut front suspension, and it handles potholes and washed-out roads with ease (pro tip: turn off Sport mode). The top-of-the-line Autograph model can pull up to 3,000 pounds for the determined if adequately outfitted.
Driving on the road is exciting, thanks to its performance. Although the manufacturer has not yet released the QX50’s specifications, the acceleration is smooth and gratifying, and it is simpler to hit 60 mph from a standstill than you may anticipate or want. The luxurious interior blocks all road noise, but the deep engine throttles provide a pleasant contrast to otherwise unremarkable journeys.
Fuel efficiency: Infiniti QX50
According to EPA estimations, drivers may anticipate up to 29 mpg on the interstate and 23 mpg for in-city cars with regular front drive, for a total of 26 mpg in fuel consumption. For vehicles with AWD, deduct one mpg from the overall mileage. While it seems a good idea on paper, this reviewer often uses side roads and backroads to do her “around town” errands. I drove largely inside cities for 264 miles over a week, averaging 21 mph and getting 22.5 mpg. That is somewhat more than the estimated 22 mpg for AWD.
The fuel efficiency ratings are somewhat higher than those of certain performance-oriented small crossovers with an engine of a similar size, such as the Acura RDX’s 272-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which achieves 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway for a combined 24 mpg. However, both are somewhat less fuel-efficient than the BMW X3, whose 248-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine is predicted to provide 23 mpg in city driving and 29 mpg on the interstate for a combined average fuel consumption of 25 mpg. None of these numbers are impressive if you are worried about carbon emissions or your checkbook, even if they are competitive.
However, the Lexus NX 350 also comes with a hybrid engine that achieves 39 mpg in combined highway and city driving, in addition to its 203-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that can return up to 28 mpg in joint road and city driving. In comparison, it uses a 275-horsepower 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine estimated to produce an on-par 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. Notably, premium unleaded gasoline is supported by all choices.
Safety and driver support technology:
The vast number of active safety and driving assistance systems that come standard on the Pure variant of the 2023 Infiniti QX50 sets it apart from competitors. Predictive frontal collision warning, blind-spot warning and intervention, lane departure warning and intervention, automatic rear braking, adaptive cruise control, high beam assist, and rear cross-traffic assist are all standard equipment.
Its standard ProPilot Assist system includes many of these capabilities, keeping the car in its lane, maintaining a fixed speed, and stopping the vehicle should traffic slow down. When traffic flow stops, the car may return to its pre-set pace for a hands-on but semi-autonomous driving assistance system. The only safety features not included in the standard model are a head-up display, cameras detecting motion, and traffic sign recognition.
The 2022 QX50 received a Good rating from the IIHS for its original moderate overlap front and side testing and a marginal grade for its revised tests despite all this technology, safety systems, and sensors. However, it was given the highest “Superior” status for its vehicle-to-vehicle front accident prevention system. The 2020 QX50 received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, and as there have been no significant platform modifications, the rating is carried over to the current model year.
Comfort & Space: Infiniti QX50
With 39.6 inches of legroom, the front row isn’t the most generous compared to its rivals, but it’s also not the least. The basic model’s leatherette-covered, eight-way, electrically adjustable front seats provide comfort without feeling confining. Luxe and higher versions come standard with heated leather seats, while Sport models and above offer cooled seats and restless steering wheels with control buttons hidden in the electronics. On Sensory and above, heated rear outboard seats are included. While dual-zone HVAC is the norm, the top-of-the-line Autograph also comes with quilted leather upholstery and tri-zone HVAC.
The QX50 has up to 38.7 inches of back legroom with the first-row seats in their most forward configuration. Compared to the 36.1 inches in the Lexus NX and the 36.4 inches in the BMW X3, it is pretty roomy. However, compared to the QX50’s rivals, both have more considerable front legroom. Good luck fitting an adult passenger in the back with the front seats fully retracted.
Although the QX50 is one of the few small crossovers with sliding and reclining second-row seats, it isn’t easy to envision desiring less rather than more back legroom. However, it may be helpful in rare circumstances if a driver attempts to extend the already lengthy luggage floor, which is one of the challenges parents sometimes have when trying to accommodate strollers in vehicles.
Entertainment: Infiniti QX50
While all native in-cabin electronics systems have a learning curve, the QX50’s twin stacked touch displays provide a straightforward setup and ease of decision-making when weighing the advantages of utilizing smartphone native applications vs. the integrated entertainment system.
The navigation is shown on the usual 8-inch higher screen, which may be smartphone mirrored or native, while the 7-inch lower screen is reserved for the car controls. Users may dig into menus and choose screen settings using a variety of modalities, including buttons, switches, control knobs, and dials. The semi-joystick-like dial reduces the need to smear fingerprints on the displays, but touchscreens are more straightforward to use while driving. The Wi-Fi hotspot (subscription needed) is oddly disabled while using wireless CarPlay, which makes it challenging to use the regular wireless device charging. Additionally, there are only four USB ports. Thus, users may need to compete for the best cable and port.
The SiriusXM-owned Sirius Travel Link has many hidden services, such as stock prices and movie listings, that the driver may never utilize. But while it is sluggish, its Google address lookup function is reasonable. The center console’s easily accessible camera button is one of the electronics platform’s highly valued features. Although instrument panels seem to be the way of the future, electronically sourced vehicle information was only available on a 7-inch display between the traditional speedometer and tachometer.
Storage & Cargo Space:
The QX50 outperforms its rivals in terms of cargo capacity. The premium crossover beats the Lexus NX 350, which has just 27.7 cubic feet, and the Acura RDX, which came in second place in this area, with only 29.5 cubic feet of storage when the second-row seats are up in cars with a sunroof and 31.1 cubic feet when they are down.
When the 60/40 split rear seats are folded flat, and the motion-activated liftgate is opened, the cargo space may increase to 65.1 cubic feet without the sunroof. This feature is standard on Luxe models. The second-row seat may move forward to provide owners with a small amount of cargo space for more important things. Infiniti attributes this adaptability to its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine’s lower footprint, which enables it to carve out more interior cabin space. Roof rails are a standard feature on QX50 Luxe models and upwards for additional storage space.
Design: Infiniti QX50
The QX50’s appearance leaves very little room for criticism. It has slender, expressive outer lines, and the 19- or 20-inch wheels on which it is firmly mounted give it an assertive attitude. Without being too luxurious or athletic without being overly turbocharged, the interior is lavish and cocoon-like. All versions come with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and the Pure, Luxe, and Sport trims have painted aluminum inside details, while the top two decorations have open-pore wood. On Luxe and above grades, a panoramic moonroof is standard.
The QX50 excels at one of the strategies automakers use to differentiate their crossovers from their rivals: lighting accents. The top two trims come with cube LED headlight designs, and further nighttime visibility is enhanced with kickplate lighting accents ($485) and puddle lights ($635) with logos. However, it depends on the individual whether or not they are worth the additional cost.
Is the Infiniti QX50 2023 worth the price?
The Sport variant seems to be the better option, despite the Pure basic model having all the safety features you’d expect in a modern vehicle and a price range in the low $40,000s. A panoramic roof and leather-appointed seats are added to the $44,795 Luxe variant (all prices include the required $1,195 destination tax). At the same time, the $49,695 Sport model ($51,695 for AWD) offers additional flair and amenities, including illusive native navigation.
While many drivers rely on their smartphone for instructions, depending on the area and cell tower service, it’s not always a reliable alternative. Buyers also receive 20-inch wheels, leather seats, a heated steering wheel, ambient interior lighting, an around-view monitor with motion detection for the camera system, 12-speaker audio, and dark exterior accents that make the QX50 look and feel more like the luxury brand they’re purchasing for $5,000 more than you’d pay for the Luxe trim (either with or without AWD).
How Much Does the 2023 Infiniti QX50 Cost to Insure?
The insurance prices for the QX50 are comparable to those of many of its rivals, if not significantly more. Although this average covers all 50 states, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record may anticipate an annual premium to start at $2,335. Comparatively, the Lexus NX costs $2,136, the Acura RDX costs $2,260, and the BMW X3 costs $2,292.
Verdict
The Infiniti QX50’s sophisticated but athletic appearance isn’t just for show; it reflects the performance engineering behind the expertly turned sheet metal, creative LED lighting, and external highlights. It offers a cozy yet peaceful interior, a responsive engine, precise steering, and a complete package of modern driver support systems. Additionally, its electronics platform has everything pretty well worked out. The attractive packaging oozes athletic luxury, but if you want the spirit of a sports sedan with the “practicality” of a somewhat more off-road competent crossover, compromises must be made somewhere (namely in the second row and fuel efficiency).
